Earth is crammed with heaven

“Just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.” It’s a phrase that keeps coming back to me at the moment. As leaders we’ve had to make some tough decisions this week. Places of worship are allowed to hold services, under the terms of this lockdown. But I still felt unsure. The risks felt high, and while I felt deeply for those for whom meeting for worship is a lifeline in their loneliness, we made the decision as a team, not to meet. It was a really hard decision, but now that Public Health Essex have asked places of worship not to open, it is the right one. Just because we can doesn’t mean we should. I had a similar dilemma today. It’s been six days since my last swim. That’s a long time in my world. Guidance is that we can travel for exercise, but it doesn’t say how far. The paddling pool would just freeze at the moment, so that’s not an option. The upshot was that Chris, Daisy and I traveled a short distance so I could swim, and they could walk. I think Chris recognised some of the s...

It's interesting that yesterday was designated rude-words day;  then today, always #WhingingWednesday around these parts, dawned unnoticed until well after lunch. Maybe there's something about sitting with how you feel for a while, after all? It's worked for me anyway. I went to bed last night, relieved that tough decisions had been made, so I slept soundly and woke feeling content. Admittedly, I was a little jealous of a generous snowfall, where we used to live. But I smiled at the pictures, and set off to work on foot. The next few days, we have agreed, will need to be an unhurried assessment of the situation. No panicking. Just looking at what is, and seeing not only what needs to be done; but what needs to be done by us, by our church, by me. As I walked home, being on foot meant I could stop and do some doorstep visits, share some prayers, and make some phone calls.  A highlight was a little boy on his bike whose eyes lit up when he saw me. "Mummy it's Amanda!...

Today has been designated a rude word day. Well, in my mind, anyway. Life stinks. There’s no getting away from it. Historically, when we have gone into Lockdown of one kind or another, the first 24 hours is one of extremes.  We knew it was coming, but still feel blindsided. There have been tears. Lots of tears. And a few tantrums if I’m honest. I think it’s important to go with it. For me, anyway. Pretending things are ok when they’re clearly not, is a strategy I’ve been familiar with in the past. But it’s not a good one. At least, it’s never worked for me. So today has been mainly about facing reality. “Life is poo, so sing about it” (paraphrase mine). I offer these thoughts in the hope that you may relate, but it’s not a promise to blog every day as in previous lockdowns. We’ll see how it goes. I do however want to send you my love, and my prayers for today, and the days that lie ahead. ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who ...